US20130234702A1 - Atomic magnetometers for use in the oil service industry - Google Patents
Atomic magnetometers for use in the oil service industry Download PDFInfo
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- US20130234702A1 US20130234702A1 US13/872,706 US201313872706A US2013234702A1 US 20130234702 A1 US20130234702 A1 US 20130234702A1 US 201313872706 A US201313872706 A US 201313872706A US 2013234702 A1 US2013234702 A1 US 2013234702A1
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- magnetic field
- formation fluid
- atomic magnetometer
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- chamber
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- G—PHYSICS
- G01—MEASURING; TESTING
- G01V—GEOPHYSICS; GRAVITATIONAL MEASUREMENTS; DETECTING MASSES OR OBJECTS; TAGS
- G01V3/00—Electric or magnetic prospecting or detecting; Measuring magnetic field characteristics of the earth, e.g. declination, deviation
- G01V3/18—Electric or magnetic prospecting or detecting; Measuring magnetic field characteristics of the earth, e.g. declination, deviation specially adapted for well-logging
- G01V3/32—Electric or magnetic prospecting or detecting; Measuring magnetic field characteristics of the earth, e.g. declination, deviation specially adapted for well-logging operating with electron or nuclear magnetic resonance
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- E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
- E21—EARTH DRILLING; MINING
- E21B—EARTH DRILLING, e.g. DEEP DRILLING; OBTAINING OIL, GAS, WATER, SOLUBLE OR MELTABLE MATERIALS OR A SLURRY OF MINERALS FROM WELLS
- E21B49/00—Testing the nature of borehole walls; Formation testing; Methods or apparatus for obtaining samples of soil or well fluids, specially adapted to earth drilling or wells
- E21B49/08—Obtaining fluid samples or testing fluids, in boreholes or wells
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- G—PHYSICS
- G01—MEASURING; TESTING
- G01N—INVESTIGATING OR ANALYSING MATERIALS BY DETERMINING THEIR CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
- G01N24/00—Investigating or analyzing materials by the use of nuclear magnetic resonance, electron paramagnetic resonance or other spin effects
- G01N24/08—Investigating or analyzing materials by the use of nuclear magnetic resonance, electron paramagnetic resonance or other spin effects by using nuclear magnetic resonance
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G01—MEASURING; TESTING
- G01R—MEASURING ELECTRIC VARIABLES; MEASURING MAGNETIC VARIABLES
- G01R33/00—Arrangements or instruments for measuring magnetic variables
- G01R33/20—Arrangements or instruments for measuring magnetic variables involving magnetic resonance
- G01R33/24—Arrangements or instruments for measuring magnetic variables involving magnetic resonance for measuring direction or magnitude of magnetic fields or magnetic flux
- G01R33/26—Arrangements or instruments for measuring magnetic variables involving magnetic resonance for measuring direction or magnitude of magnetic fields or magnetic flux using optical pumping
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- G—PHYSICS
- G01—MEASURING; TESTING
- G01R—MEASURING ELECTRIC VARIABLES; MEASURING MAGNETIC VARIABLES
- G01R33/00—Arrangements or instruments for measuring magnetic variables
- G01R33/20—Arrangements or instruments for measuring magnetic variables involving magnetic resonance
- G01R33/44—Arrangements or instruments for measuring magnetic variables involving magnetic resonance using nuclear magnetic resonance [NMR]
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- G—PHYSICS
- G01—MEASURING; TESTING
- G01V—GEOPHYSICS; GRAVITATIONAL MEASUREMENTS; DETECTING MASSES OR OBJECTS; TAGS
- G01V3/00—Electric or magnetic prospecting or detecting; Measuring magnetic field characteristics of the earth, e.g. declination, deviation
- G01V3/15—Electric or magnetic prospecting or detecting; Measuring magnetic field characteristics of the earth, e.g. declination, deviation specially adapted for use during transport, e.g. by a person, vehicle or boat
- G01V3/165—Electric or magnetic prospecting or detecting; Measuring magnetic field characteristics of the earth, e.g. declination, deviation specially adapted for use during transport, e.g. by a person, vehicle or boat operating with magnetic or electric fields produced or modified by the object or by the detecting device
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- G—PHYSICS
- G01—MEASURING; TESTING
- G01R—MEASURING ELECTRIC VARIABLES; MEASURING MAGNETIC VARIABLES
- G01R33/00—Arrangements or instruments for measuring magnetic variables
- G01R33/20—Arrangements or instruments for measuring magnetic variables involving magnetic resonance
- G01R33/28—Details of apparatus provided for in groups G01R33/44 - G01R33/64
- G01R33/30—Sample handling arrangements, e.g. sample cells, spinning mechanisms
- G01R33/302—Miniaturized sample handling arrangements for sampling small quantities, e.g. flow-through microfluidic NMR chips
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- G—PHYSICS
- G01—MEASURING; TESTING
- G01R—MEASURING ELECTRIC VARIABLES; MEASURING MAGNETIC VARIABLES
- G01R33/00—Arrangements or instruments for measuring magnetic variables
- G01R33/20—Arrangements or instruments for measuring magnetic variables involving magnetic resonance
- G01R33/28—Details of apparatus provided for in groups G01R33/44 - G01R33/64
- G01R33/30—Sample handling arrangements, e.g. sample cells, spinning mechanisms
- G01R33/307—Sample handling arrangements, e.g. sample cells, spinning mechanisms specially adapted for moving the sample relative to the MR system, e.g. spinning mechanisms, flow cells or means for positioning the sample inside a spectrometer
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- G—PHYSICS
- G01—MEASURING; TESTING
- G01R—MEASURING ELECTRIC VARIABLES; MEASURING MAGNETIC VARIABLES
- G01R33/00—Arrangements or instruments for measuring magnetic variables
- G01R33/20—Arrangements or instruments for measuring magnetic variables involving magnetic resonance
- G01R33/28—Details of apparatus provided for in groups G01R33/44 - G01R33/64
- G01R33/32—Excitation or detection systems, e.g. using radio frequency signals
- G01R33/36—Electrical details, e.g. matching or coupling of the coil to the receiver
- G01R33/3692—Electrical details, e.g. matching or coupling of the coil to the receiver involving signal transmission without using electrically conductive connections, e.g. wireless communication or optical communication of the MR signal or an auxiliary signal other than the MR signal
Abstract
An apparatus for estimating a property of a formation fluid in a borehole penetrating the earth is described. The apparatus includes a chamber disposed in the borehole and configured to hold a sample of the formation fluid. The apparatus also includes an atomic magnetometer configured to obtain a measurement of a magnetic field emitted by the sample of the formation fluid, and an instrument configured to estimate the property using the measurement.
Description
- This application is a Divisional of U.S. application Ser. No. 12/715,541 filed Mar. 2, 2010, which claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/156,966 filed Mar. 3, 2009. The disclosures of both applications are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.
- 1. Field of the Invention
- The present invention relates to estimating a property of an earth formation. More particularly, the present invention relates to techniques for more accurately measuring signals from the earth formation that provide information about a property of the earth formation.
- 2. Description of the Related Art
- Exploration and production of hydrocarbons or geothermal energy requires that accurate and precise measurements be performed on earth formations, which may contain reservoirs of the hydrocarbons or geothermal energy. Some of these measurements are performed at the surface of the earth and may be referred to as surveys. Other measurements are generally performed in boreholes penetrating the earth formations. The process of performing these measurements in boreholes is called “well logging.”
- In one example of well logging, a logging tool, used to perform the measurements, is lowered into a borehole and supported by a wireline. The logging tool contains various components that perform the measurements and record or transmit data associated with the measurements.
- Various types of measurements can be performed in a borehole. One type of measurement is known as a nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) measurement. In conventional NMR logging, a strong magnet is used to polarize nuclei in the formation. A series of radio frequency (RF) pulses are then transmitted into the formation to tip the angular momentum of the nuclei. Between pulses, the nuclei precess and transmit signals, known as NMR signals. From the amplitude and decay of these signals, information can be gained about at least one property of the formation. The NMR signals are typically received with a receiver coil by inducing a voltage and/or current in the coil.
- The frequency of the RF pulses can be varied to measure a property of the earth formation at various distances into the earth formation. Using too low a frequency, though, can result in weak NMR signals being induced in the receiver coil. The weak NMR signals can be noisy having a low signal to noise ratio. Noisy signals can be difficult to interpret and extract information related to the property under investigation because the noise can mask important information in the signal.
- In another type of NMR measurement, known as one variant of earth's field NMR, the earth's magnetic field may be used to polarize the nuclei under investigation. The earth's magnetic field, though, is generally weak and the resulting NMR signals induced in the receiver coil can also be weak. As with low frequency NMR signals, earth's field NMR signals can be noisy and difficult to interpret.
- Some types of surface surveys of earth formations require measuring a magnetic field. Because of the distance from the formation to surface survey equipment, especially if the survey equipment is airborne, the magnetic fields of interest may be very weak. As with weak NMR signals, conventional magnetometers may provide a noisy and difficult to interpret signals.
- Therefore, what are needed are techniques for measuring weak electromagnetic signals and, in particular, weak magnetic fields for exploration of hydrocarbon-bearing earth formations or geothermal energy.
- According to one aspect of the invention, an apparatus for estimating a property of a formation fluid in a borehole penetrating the earth includes a chamber disposed in the borehole and configured to hold a sample of the formation fluid; an atomic magnetometer configured to obtain a measurement of a magnetic field emitted by the sample of the formation fluid; and an instrument configured to estimate the property using the measurement.
- According to another aspect of the invention, a method of estimating a property of a formation fluid in a borehole penetrating the earth includes conveying an atomic magnetometer and a chamber in the borehole; holding a sample of the formation fluid in the chamber; obtaining a measurement of a magnetic field emitted by the sample of the formation fluid using the atomic magnetometer; and estimating the property using the measurement.
- The subject matter, which is regarded as the invention, is particularly pointed out and distinctly claimed in the claims at the conclusion of the specification. The foregoing and other features and advantages of the invention are apparent from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein like elements are numbered alike, in which:
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FIG. 1 illustrates an exemplary embodiment of a logging tool disposed in a borehole penetrating an earth formation; -
FIGS. 2A and 2B , collectively referred to asFIG. 2 , depict aspects of an instrument and an atomic magnetometer disposed at the logging tool; -
FIG. 3 illustrates an exemplary embodiment of a survey instrument and the atomic magnetometer disposed in an aircraft flying above an earth formation; -
FIG. 4 depicts aspects of an atomic magnetometer; -
FIG. 5 depicts aspects of using the atomic magnetometer for navigation of the logging tool; -
FIG. 6 depicts aspects of using the atomic magnetometer for telemetry between the logging tool and the surface of the earth; and -
FIG. 7 presents one example of a method for estimating a property of the earth formation using the atomic magnetometer. - Disclosed are embodiments of techniques for estimating a property of an earth formation. The techniques, which include apparatus and method, call for measuring a magnetic field related to the property using an atomic magnetometer. The atomic magnetometer is very sensitive and has sensitivity that is comparable or even exceeds low-temperature superconducting quantum interference devices (SQUID). The noise of the atomic magnetometer is down to one femtoTesla/sqrt(Hz) or less, thus, accounting for the high sensitivity. In one embodiment, the atomic magnetometer exhibited magnetic field sensitivity of 0.5 fT/√Hz.
- In one embodiment, the atomic magnetometer works by measuring the precession of electron spins in a magnetic field in a spin-exchange-relaxation-free (SERF) regime. The electron spins are in an alkali-metal vapor such as cesium contained in a glass cell. An infrared laser illuminates the glass cell and a photodetector receives light that passes through the cell. When the alkalai-metal vapor is not exposed to a magnetic field, the laser light passes straight through the atoms of the alkali-metal vapor. When the alkalai-metal vapor is in the presence of a magnetic field, though, the alignment of the atoms of the alkalai-metal vapor changes. The changed alignment of the atoms allows the atoms to absorb an amount of light proportional to the strength of the magnetic field. The photodetector measures the change in the transmitted light and relates the change to the strength of the magnetic field. In other embodiments, the atomic magnetometer can operate outside of the SERF regime. In addition, in other embodiments, a measurement of polarization rotation of the transmitted light or a measurement of a modulation frequency of the transmitted light can be used to measure the strength of the magnetic field.
- Reference may now be had to
FIG. 1 .FIG. 1 illustrates an exemplary embodiment of alogging tool 10 disposed in aborehole 2 penetrating theearth 3. Within theearth 3 is aformation 4 that includes formation layers 4A-4C. Thelogging tool 10 is conveyed through theborehole 2 by anarmored wireline 5. In the embodiment ofFIG. 1 , thelogging tool 10 includes anextraction device 12 configured to extract afluid 7 from theformation 4. Thelogging tool 10 includes aninstrument 6. Theinstrument 6 includes a component used to perform a measurement of a property of theformation 4 or theformation fluid 7. Coupled to theinstrument 6 is anatomic magnetometer 8. Theatomic magnetometer 8 is configured to detect and/or measure a magnetic field, which provides information to estimate the property of theformation 4 or of theformation fluid 7. - Referring to
FIG. 1 , theinstrument 6 can also include electronic circuitry for processing, recording, or transmitting measurements performed by theinstrument 6 in conjunction with theatomic magnetometer 8. Thewireline 5 is one example of a component of a telemetry system used to communicate information, such as the measurements, to aprocessing system 9 at the surface of theearth 3. Theprocessing system 9 is configured to receive data related to the measurements and to process the data to provide output to an operator or petroanalyst. The operator or petroanalyst can use the output on which to base drilling and completion decisions. - The
instrument 6 can be configured to perform various types of measurements either individually or in combination. In one embodiment, theinstrument 6 can be configured to perform earth's field nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) measurements. For example, referring toFIG. 2A , theinstrument 6 can include atransmitter coil 20 for transmitting a series of radio frequency (RF)pulses 21 into theformation 4. TheRF pulses 21 tilt the angular momentum or spins of the nuclei in theformation 4 away from a relaxed state aligned with the earth's magnetic field. Between theRF pulses 21, the nuclei precess to the relaxed state and emit NMR signals 22. The NMR signals 22 are related to a property of theformation 4. Thus, measurements of the NMR signals 22 can be used to estimate the property of theformation 4. In accordance with the teachings herein, theatomic magnetometer 8 is used to receive and measure the NMR signals 22. - Another method of performing earth's field NMR is by polarizing the atomic nuclei in the
formation 4 by applying a constant magnetic field for a time and then switching this field suddenly (i.e., non-adiabatically) off Once the field is switched off, the nuclear magnetization precesses around the earth's magnetic field and relaxes towards the equilibrium magnetization that is parallel to the earth's magnetic field. The lateral and longitudinal magnetization components may be detected by the atomic magnetometer 8 (see U.S. Pat. No. 4,987,368). Theatomic magnetometer 8 can not only be used in earth's field NMR but in any NMR measurements where the Larmor frequency range is within a frequency range that can be measured by theatomic magnetometer 8 that is selected for the particular NMR measurements. - In another embodiment, the
instrument 6 and theatomic magnetometer 8 are used to perform nuclear quadrupole resonance (NQR) measurements. NQR measurements are applicable to nuclei having an electric quadrupole moment. In NQR applications, the measurement frequency depends on the electric quadrupole moment of the nuclei and the electric field gradient at the position of these quadrupole nuclei. Theatomic magnetometer 8 receives and measures the resulting NQR signals from the nuclei. - In the embodiment of
FIG. 2B , theinstrument 6 is configured to measure a property of theformation fluid 7. Theformation fluid 7 is extracted from theformation 4 and channeled to theinstrument 6 where NMR measurements are performed on thefluid 7. Theinstrument 6 in this embodiment includescomponents 23 configured to polarize and encode thefluid 7 prior to thefluid 7 emitting NMR signals 22. Theinstrument 6 can also includeshields 24 to shield theinstrument 6 from the earth's magnetic field. In one embodiment, Helmholtz coils can be used. Theshields 24 would be active shields in this case. After being polarized and encoded (using audio frequency or radio frequency electromagnetic pulses), thefluid 7 enters achamber 25 adjacent to theatomic magnetometer 8, which measures the NMR signals 22 emitted by thefluid 7. The NMR signals 22 are used to estimate a property of theformation fluid 7. -
FIG. 3 illustrates an exemplary embodiment of theinstrument 6 and themagnetometer 8 used for performing a survey of theformation 4 from above, such as from the surface of theearth 3 or in an aircraft. In the embodiment ofFIG. 3 , theinstrument 6 and theatomic magnetometer 8 are disposed in an aircraft denoted as acarrier 30. Other non-limiting embodiments of thecarrier 30 include a vehicle and a vessel. During performance of a survey, theatomic magnetometer 8 measures the magnetic field to which theatomic magnetometer 8 is exposed. The magnetic field is influenced by theformation 4 below. Theinstrument 6 can record the measurements performed by theatomic magnetometer 8 and associate each measurement with a location at which the measurement was performed. Thus, with the measurement and location data, a survey map of theformation 4 can be produced. In this case, the property of theformation 4 is the size and location of theformation 4. The survey map can also include any magnetic anomalies that were recorded. The magnetic anomalies can reflect changes in the composition of theformation 4. -
FIG. 4 depicts aspects of theatomic magnetometer 8. Referring toFIG. 4 , theatomic magnetometer 8 includes aglass cell 40 filled with an alkalai-metal vapor 41. Aheater 42 provides heat to thevapor 41 to keep thevapor 41 in a vapor state. In the embodiment ofFIG. 4 , theatomic magnetometer 8 includes anoptical pumping laser 43 to spin-polarize the atoms of thevapor 41. Orthogonal tooptical pumping laser 43 is aprobe laser 44 for detecting/measuring precession of the nuclear spins of the atoms of thevapor 41 in the presence of a magnetic field. Aphotodetector 45 having at least one channel receives light from theprobe laser 44 that passes through theglass cell 40 andvapor 41. Thephotodetector 45 provides anoutput signal 46 related to the amount of light thephotodetector 45 measures. Thus, the output signal is correlated to the strength of the magnetic field measured by theatomic magnetometer 8. Surrounding at least theglass cell 40 is shielding 47 to shield thevapor 41 from external magnetic fields such as the earth's magnetic field. In one embodiment, the shielding 47 can be provided by Helmholtz coils that produce a counteracting magnetic field. - The
atomic magnetometer 8 can be built in various ways. In one way, theatomic magnetometer 8 is assembled from a plurality of relatively large discrete components. In another way, theatomic magnetometer 8 is fabricated on at least one silicon substrate or chip using fabrication techniques used to fabricate semiconductor devices and circuitry. Such fabrication techniques include photolithography and micromachining In one embodiment, theatomic magnetometer 8 is built from at least one component that is a micro-electromechanical system (MEMS). In another embodiment, the entireatomic magnetometer 8 is built as a MEMS. One advantage of theatomic magnetometer 8 built on a chip is that many can be used to perform the same function with the outputs averaged to produce one output signal having a high signal-to-noise ratio. - The
atomic magnetometer 8 can also be used to perform other logging functions such as navigation and telemetry.FIG. 5 depicts aspects of using theatomic magnetometer 8 for navigation. Referring toFIG. 5 , theatomic magnetometer 8 is shown disposed in thelogging tool 10. In the embodiment ofFIG. 5 , theatomic magnetometer 8 is not shielded from the earth'smagnetic field 50 and provides a vector measurement of the earth's magnetic field. From the vector measurement, an orientation of thelogging tool 10 with respect to the earth's magnetic field can be determined. - In general, the
atomic magnetometer 8 provides a scalar measurement or the total magnitude of a magnetic field. However, a technique can be used to convert a scalaratomic magnetometer 8 into a vector atomic magnetometer 8 (i.e., an atomic magnetometer that measures directional components of the magnetic field). The technique is based on a phenomenon that if a small biasing field is applied to theatomic magnetometer 8 in a certain direction while the main magnetic field to be measured is also applied, then the change in the overall magnetic field magnitude is linear in the projection of the bias magnetic field on the main magnetic field. In addition, the change in the overall magnetic field is only quadratic, and may be assumed negligible in some instances, in the projection on the orthogonal plane. The technique, therefore, in one embodiment, applies three orthogonal bias magnetic fields consecutively and performs three consecutive associated measurements of the magnitude of the overall magnetic field to construct the three-dimensional magnetic field vector. -
FIG. 6 depicts aspects of using theatomic magnetometer 8 for telemetry between thelogging tool 10 and theprocessing system 9. In the embodiment ofFIG. 6 , thelogging tool 10 is disposed at a drill string and configured for logging-while-drilling (LWD). Referring toFIG. 6 , atelemetry system 60 includes oneatomic magnetometer 8 disposed at or near the surface of theearth 3 for receiving asignal 61 having a magnetic component that includes data to be transmitted to theprocessing system 9. Thetelemetry system 60 can also include a secondatomic magnetometer 8, which in this instance is disposed at thelogging tool 10. The secondatomic magnetometer 8 can receive asignal 62 having a magnetic component that includes instructions to be transmitted from theprocessing system 9 to thelogging tool 10. Thetelemetry system 60 ofFIG. 6 also includestransmitters signals telemetry system 60 is that theatomic magnetometer 8 is very sensitive to the magnetic component of electromagnetic waves as opposed to a receiver in a conventional electromagnetic telemetry system, which can have difficulty receiving an electromagnetic signal from a logging tool disposed in a borehole. -
FIG. 7 presents one example of amethod 70 for estimating a property of theformation 4 using theatomic magnetometer 8. Themethod 70 calls for (step 71) conveying theinstrument 6 and theatomic magnetometer 8 using a carrier such as thelogging tool 10. Thus, theinstrument 6 and theatomic magnetometer 8 may be conveyed in theborehole 2 penetrating theearth formation 4 or conveyed over the surface of theearth 3. The carrier can also be another type of carrier such as theaircraft 30. Further, themethod 70 calls for (step 72) measuring a strength of a magnetic field with theatomic magnetometer 8 wherein the strength of the magnetic field is related to the property. - In support of the teachings herein, various analysis components may be used, including a digital and/or an analog system. For example, the
instrument 6 or theprocessing system 9 can include the digital and/or analog system. The system may have components such as a processor, storage media, memory, input, output, communications link (wired, wireless, pulsed mud, optical or other), user interfaces, software programs, signal processors (digital or analog) and other such components (such as discrete or integrated semiconductors, resistors, capacitors, inductors and others) to provide for operation and analyses of the apparatus and methods disclosed herein in any of several manners well-appreciated in the art. It is considered that these teachings may be, but need not be, implemented in conjunction with a set of computer executable instructions stored on a computer readable medium, including memory (ROMs, RAMs), optical (CD-ROMs), or magnetic (disks, hard drives), or any other type that when executed causes a computer to implement the method of the present invention. These instructions may provide for equipment operation, control, data collection and analysis and other functions deemed relevant by a system designer, owner, user or other such personnel, in addition to the functions described in this disclosure. - Further, various other components may be included and called upon for providing for aspects of the teachings herein. For example, sample tubing, sample chamber, power supply (e.g., at least one of a generator, a remote supply and a battery), vacuum supply, pressure supply, cooling component, heating component, motive force (such as a translational force, propulsional force or a rotational force), magnet, electromagnet, sensor, electrode, transmitter, receiver, transceiver, antenna, controller, optical unit, electrical unit or electromechanical unit may be included in support of the various aspects discussed herein or in support of other functions beyond this disclosure.
- The term “carrier” as used herein means any vehicle, vessel, aircraft, device, device component, combination of devices, media and/or member that may be used to convey, house, support or otherwise facilitate the use of another device, device component, combination of devices, media and/or member. The
logging tool 10 is one non-limiting example of a carrier. Other exemplary non-limiting carriers include drill strings of the coiled tube type, of the jointed pipe type and any combination or portion thereof. Other carrier examples include casing pipes, wirelines, wireline sondes, slickline sondes, drop shots, bottom-hole-assemblies, drill string inserts, modules, internal housings and substrate portions thereof. - Elements of the embodiments have been introduced with either the articles “a” or “an.” The articles are intended to mean that there are one or more of the elements. The terms “including” and “having” and their derivatives are intended to be inclusive such that there may be additional elements other than the elements listed. The conjunction “or” when used with a list of at least two terms is intended to mean any term or combination of terms.
- It will be recognized that the various components or technologies may provide certain necessary or beneficial functionality or features. Accordingly, these functions and features as may be needed in support of the appended claims and variations thereof, are recognized as being inherently included as a part of the teachings herein and a part of the invention disclosed.
- While the invention has been described with reference to exemplary embodiments, it will be understood that various changes may be made and equivalents may be substituted for elements thereof without departing from the scope of the invention. In addition, many modifications will be appreciated to adapt a particular instrument, situation or material to the teachings of the invention without departing from the essential scope thereof. Therefore, it is intended that the invention not be limited to the particular embodiment disclosed as the best mode contemplated for carrying out this invention, but that the invention will include all embodiments falling within the scope of the appended claims.
Claims (14)
1. An apparatus for estimating a property of a formation fluid in a borehole penetrating the earth, the apparatus comprising:
a chamber disposed in the borehole and configured to hold a sample of the formation fluid;
an atomic magnetometer configured to obtain a measurement of a magnetic field emitted by the sample of the formation fluid; and
an instrument configured to estimate the property using the measurement.
2. The apparatus according to claim 1 , further comprising a carrier configured to transport the atomic magnetometer and the chamber in the borehole.
3. The apparatus according to claim 1 , further comprising a tool disposed in the borehole and configured to transmit energy to a surface of the earth, wherein the energy is related to the magnetic field.
4. The apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the atomic magnetometer obtains nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) signals emitted by the sample of the formation fluid in the chamber and related to the property.
5. The apparatus according to claim 4 , wherein the sample of the formation fluid is polarized and encoded prior to being held in the chamber.
6. The apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the atomic magnetometer is further configured to measure precession of spins of electrons in the magnetic field to obtain the measurement of the magnetic field.
7. The apparatus according to claim 6 , wherein the electrons are part of an alkali-metal vapor disposed in a cell.
8. The apparatus according to claim 7 , further comprising an optical pumping laser configured to spin-polarize atoms of the vapor.
9. The apparatus according to claim 8 , further comprising a probe laser disposed substantially orthogonal to the optical pumping laser and configured to measure the precession of spins.
10. The apparatus according to claim 9 , further comprising a photodetector configured to receive light from the probe laser traversing the cell wherein a magnitude of the received light relates to a magnitude of the magnetic field being measured.
11. The apparatus according to claim 10 , further comprising a shield surrounding at least a portion of the cell and configured to shield the vapor from an external magnetic field.
12. A method of estimating a property of a formation fluid in a borehole penetrating the earth, the method comprising:
conveying an atomic magnetometer and a chamber in the borehole;
holding a sample of the formation fluid in the chamber;
obtaining a measurement of a magnetic field emitted by the sample of the formation fluid using the atomic magnetometer; and
estimating the property using the measurement.
13. The method according to claim 12 , further comprising polarizing and encoding the sample of the formation fluid prior to holding the sample of the formation fluid in the chamber.
14. The method according to claim 13 , further comprising obtaining nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) signals emitted by the sample of the formation fluid in the chamber.
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US13/872,706 US20130234702A1 (en) | 2009-03-03 | 2013-04-29 | Atomic magnetometers for use in the oil service industry |
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US15696609P | 2009-03-03 | 2009-03-03 | |
US12/715,541 US20100225313A1 (en) | 2009-03-03 | 2010-03-02 | Atomic magnetometers for use in the oil service industry |
US13/872,706 US20130234702A1 (en) | 2009-03-03 | 2013-04-29 | Atomic magnetometers for use in the oil service industry |
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US12/715,541 Division US20100225313A1 (en) | 2009-03-03 | 2010-03-02 | Atomic magnetometers for use in the oil service industry |
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US10989646B1 (en) * | 2020-05-21 | 2021-04-27 | Halliburton Energy Services, Inc. | Real time magnetic properties of drill cuttings, drilling fluids, and soils |
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EP2561376A1 (en) * | 2010-04-22 | 2013-02-27 | Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V. | Nuclear magnetic resonance magnetometer employing optically induced hyperpolarization |
US8581580B2 (en) * | 2010-06-02 | 2013-11-12 | Halliburton Energy Services, Inc. | Downhole orientation sensing with nuclear spin gyroscope |
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- 2010-03-03 EP EP10749272.0A patent/EP2404200A4/en not_active Withdrawn
- 2010-03-03 CA CA2754455A patent/CA2754455A1/en not_active Abandoned
- 2010-03-03 WO PCT/US2010/026068 patent/WO2010102016A2/en active Application Filing
- 2010-03-03 GB GB1114265.0A patent/GB2480189B/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
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2011
- 2011-09-01 NO NO20111191A patent/NO20111191A1/en not_active Application Discontinuation
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2013
- 2013-04-29 US US13/872,706 patent/US20130234702A1/en not_active Abandoned
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GB201114265D0 (en) | 2011-10-05 |
GB2480189A (en) | 2011-11-09 |
CA2754455A1 (en) | 2010-09-10 |
WO2010102016A4 (en) | 2011-03-03 |
GB2480189B (en) | 2013-11-20 |
US20100225313A1 (en) | 2010-09-09 |
WO2010102016A2 (en) | 2010-09-10 |
WO2010102016A3 (en) | 2011-01-13 |
EP2404200A4 (en) | 2014-06-18 |
EP2404200A2 (en) | 2012-01-11 |
NO20111191A1 (en) | 2011-09-29 |
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